Postdoctoral Associate: Psychedelic Ethics and Policy @ Baylor College of Medicine

The Ethical Legal Implications of Psychedelics in Society (ELIPSIS) Program in the Center for Medical
Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine invites applications for a full-time, two-year
Postdoctoral Associate position.
 

As psychedelic therapies move from research settings into broader clinical use, decisions made today
will shape how they are studied, regulated, delivered, and accessed for decades to come. The ELIPSIS
program is conducting rigorous research to ensure that psychedelic medicines develop in ways that are
evidence-based, scientifically rigorous, and equity-enhancing.
 

The successful candidate will work directly with Dr. Amy McGuire, Director of the Center for Medical
Ethics and Health Policy and founding director of the ELIPSIS program, as well as a multidisciplinary team of scholars and will have an opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognized research program,
produce high-impact scholarship, participate in timely policy conversations, and develop an independent
academic career in bioethics.
 

The position is expected to begin in Summer 2027. Applicants completing terminal degrees in Winter
2026 or Spring 2027 are encouraged to apply. This is a non-laboratory research position located in
Houston, Texas.

Position Description and Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to funded, interdisciplinary research projects and to the
broader intellectual life of the ELIPSIS Program and the Center. Responsibilities will include:
• Designing and conducting empirical and normative research on ethical, legal, social, and policy
issues related to psychedelics.
• Using qualitative, quantitative, conceptual, or mixed methods, depending on the candidate’s
expertise and project needs.
• Leading and contributing to manuscripts for publication in leading bioethics, medical, scientific,
legal, and health-policy journals.
• Presenting research findings at local, national, and international conferences and meetings.
• Contributing to the development of evidence-based guidelines, policy recommendations,
educational resources, and other translational products.
• Participating in grant development and proposal writing.
• Organizing and contributing to research meetings, workshops, and convenings.
• Mentoring students and participating in educational activities, as appropriate.
• Performing other related responsibilities in support of the program’s research mission.

Mentorship and Professional Development
This position is designed to support the successful candidate’s development as an independent scholar
and leader. The Postdoctoral Associate will receive individualized mentorship in:
• Developing a distinctive research agenda.
• Publishing first-author and collaborative scholarship.
• Grant writing and research funding strategy.
• Presenting research to academic, professional, governmental, and public audiences.
• Building interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations.
• Navigating the academic job market and other relevant career pathways.
The Postdoctoral Associate will participate in professional and academic development opportunities
offered by the Center and will gain exposure to one of the nation’s leading bioethics programs. The
Center cultivates a collegial culture grounded in intellectual rigor, intentionality, respect, inclusion, and
collaboration.
For more information about Baylor College of Medicine and the Center for Medical Ethics and Health
Policy, visit our website at www.bcm.edu/ethics.
Minimum Qualification
A doctoral degree in a relevant field completed before the position start date.
Preferred Qualifications
We welcome applicants with an MD, JD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in bioethics, philosophy,
law, public health, health policy, medicine, psychology, sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, the
humanities, science and technology studies, or another relevant discipline.
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
• Exceptional analytical, research, and written communication skills.
• The ability to produce clear and compelling academic and policy-oriented scholarship.
• Experience with qualitative, quantitative, normative, legal, or mixed-methods research.
• Intellectual curiosity about complex questions at the intersection of ethics, law, science,
medicine, and public policy.
• A record of scholarly productivity or strong potential to publish in relevant peer-reviewed
journals.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project-management skills.
• A collegial, constructive, and team-oriented approach.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
Prior experience in psychedelic research is welcomed but not required. Applicants from related fields
who bring strong methodological, conceptual, legal, clinical, or policy expertise are encouraged to apply.
Salary and Appointment
• Full-time, two-year appointment.
• Salary of up to $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience and institutional policies.

• Anticipated start date: Summer 2027.
• Location: Houston, Texas.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
• A cover letter describing their interest in the position, relevant experience, and potential
contributions to the ELIPSIS Program.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A writing sample.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Applications should be submitted through: https://jobs.bcm.edu/job/Postdoctoral-Associate-
Psychedelic-Ethics-and-Policy/26139-en_US/

Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
About the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy
The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine is among the nation’s
leading bioethics centers. Its faculty conduct innovative, externally funded research in bioethics and
health policy, focusing on topics like genetics and genomics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, public
health, clinical ethics, and emerging biomedical technologies.
The Center is home to a large and interdisciplinary community of primary and affiliated faculty, scholars,
fellows, and professional staff. Faculty teach throughout Baylor College of Medicine’s undergraduate
and graduate medical education programs, lead clinical ethics consultation services across five major
hospitals, and collaborate with researchers and institutions throughout the Texas Medical Center and
around the world.
Center faculty maintain a highly active research portfolio supported by organizations including the
National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities,
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Greenwall Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and other
public and private funders.
About Baylor College of Medicine and Houston
Baylor College of Medicine is a leading academic health sciences university known for excellence in
research, education, healthcare, and community service. Baylor is located in the heart of the Texas
Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex, providing unparalleled opportunities for
interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.
Houston is one of the most racially, ethnically, and internationally diverse cities in the United States. It
offers world-class arts and cultural institutions, nationally recognized restaurants, professional sports,
extensive green spaces, and a comparatively affordable cost of living for a major metropolitan area.
Join Us

This is an opportunity to help define an emerging field and influence how psychedelic therapies are
developed, evaluated, governed, and integrated into healthcare. We invite applications from scholars
who want their work to advance knowledge, inform policy, and contribute to a more responsible and
equitable future for psychedelic medicine.
Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff as essential
to its mission of advancing education, scientific innovation, and patient-centered care.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.